GH5 Is it even possible to achieve uniformity with vintage anamorphic lenses?

[Oller Visuals]

If I want to shoot a feature film in anamorphic; should I bother collecting vintage lenses (that all tend to look very different) or just rent professional equipment? The reason I ask is because both options are expensive, but the question is which one that is actually more expensive.

Anyone know if there's a "series" of affordable anamorphic lenses that one can collect for a uniform picture quality? 35mm, 50mm etc...

 

[stoneinapond]

If I want to shoot a feature film in anamorphic; should I bother collecting vintage lenses (that all tend to look very different) or just rent professional equipment? The reason I ask is because both options are expensive, but the question is which one that is actually more expensive.

Anyone know if there's a "series" of affordable anamorphic lenses that one can collect for a uniform picture quality? 35mm, 50mm etc...

Define affordable.

 

[Oller Visuals]

Define affordable.

Well, how much would a set of new anam. lenses cost? (with the basic range of focal lenghts)

Are there any affordable "enthuseast" models manufactured? (like we've seen recent years with cheaper cinema lenses for DSLRs). Again, I need to compare investment vs. cost of renting.

 

[Zack Birlew]

The only mainstream ones that come to mind are the SLR Magic anamorphic lenses. Aside from that, you're looking at going really expensive with LOMO lenses or entering the lower end with the wide world of anamorphic adapters. Once again, the mainstream choice is SLR Magic which makes some good adapters both in 1.33x or 2x squeeze ratios along with their Rangefinder all in one focus module that pairs with the adapters nicely. The look of these adapters is a little more modern and may not be to your liking if you're comparing flares to classic cinema anamorphics but, overall, the 2x in particular gives the best look and is easily adaptable to most lenses with a 72mm filter thread size. There's also the Panasonic anamorphic adapter which is even easier to use and was designed for 72mm filter threads as well but it's mostly plastic and isn't as sharp as the SLR Magic lenses as it was designed for the old Panasonic DVX100 SD camera. Still, it is unique in that you can get certain wider lenses to work with it more so than any other adapter and I've personally tested mine up to 28mm on my full frame Canon 5D Mark II. Remember, speaking purely in terms of full frame and APSC, your lens ratio for these adapters is 50mm and up for APSC and 85mm and up for full frame. For the most part it's like adding a wide angle adapter as well so you just have to adjust your thinking when deciding which lens to use when filming with anamorphics. Now, people may tell you to do projector anamorphics but the most practical is the ISCO blue and red lenses as they are big enough to cover most lenses to avoid vignetting, even on full frame, and they are plentiful and won't break the bank, all the while giving you beautiful flares and the true 2x squeeze ratio.